If you go to any gym that has weightlifters, you will notice that a lot of them have strips of material wrapped around their wrists, which they tend to wrap around the barbell as well when performing moves like the deadlift. This accessory is called a lifting strap, and there are several different strap types, depending on the reason you use them for.
Online, you will notice that the usage of deadlift straps is widely debated, and there are both pros and cons to it. Some lifters claim that it’s cheating in a way, while others believe that it gives support that will be useful in the long run.
But to not bore you with endless debate, let’s first talk about what lifting staps are and why they’re used in weightlifting. Let’s get things started.
What are Lifting Straps?
The kind of straps you see people use when deadlifting are made out of heavy-duty fabric, usually nylon, leather, or canvas, and athletes use them to help them hold on to heavy barbells better. They’re most commonly used in pulling exercises such as deadlifts and are also considered to be adding extra support to the wrist area.
In most cases, you will see most intermediate to experienced lifters use them, especially if their fitness goals are related to lifting more weight, and you can safely claim they’re a staple for every lifter’s gym bag.
What’s the Purpose of Using Lifting Straps?
The purpose of lifting straps is to help your grip, especially in cases where your other muscles are capable of lifting heavier weight, but you’re limited by your grip strength. And so, if you feel like it’s your grip that’s giving out before everything else, then you should consider using straps for deadlift.
The deadlift is a compound movement that forces you to engage your entire posterior chain (meaning the muscles of the back, glutes, and hips), along with your core and, of course, your wrists and forearms. As you become better and better at lifting, you may notice that the rest of your body is ready to lift heavier, but your grip is not strong enough to do it.
The main idea of using deadlift straps is to help take some of the pressure away from your hands, especially in situations where it’s clear that your grip is limiting you from lifting heavier weights. They’re also incredibly helpful if you’re having issues with your palms – they can soften the feel of the barbell and thus help you recover from tears, blisters, and rips.
Is Using Lifting Straps Considered Cheating?
Contrary to a very widespread belief, using lifting straps is actually not a crutch or a way of cheating. When used in a weightlifting program correctly, they will help you lift heavier and for more reps, leading to an increase of muscle and strength over time. You can think of them as training wheels – they help you stay on track with your training goals, help you build essential muscles for lifting, and enable you to increase your load without compromising your form or your grip.
While it’s absolutely necessary to work on strengthening and improving your natural grip, it does take time, and you have to do it smartly. That’s why it’s not said that you have to rely on straps all the time – in fact, you should probably skip them altogether for easy and even moderate weights, as that’s the best time to actually work on your forearms, hands, and wrists, thus improving your natural grip.
Which Straps Are the Best for Deadlifting?
To be honest, what type of straps you end up using mostly depends on your personal preferences, and you might have to try a few different styles before settling for one that works best for you and your technique. Having said that, if you’ve never had straps before and this is your first time buying some, here are a few tips:
- Leather lifting straps are incredibly durable and grippy, so they’re usually the number one choice for powerlifters who need a lot of security and support.
- Padded lifting straps are typically made of cotton and are relatively durable, but this version comes with a layer of cushioning that will make a lift feel more comfortable.
- Cotton lifting straps usually come as a one-size-fits-all option that allows you to adjust the grip and make it as loose or as tight as you need it to be. If you need more grip, you can look for a pair that has silicone sides.
To find the perfect pair of lifting straps, you will need to test out a few pairs at the very least. And if you don’t want to spend so much money, you can just ask your lifter friends to let you borrow theirs for a session so that you can get a decent feel. Ideally, you should be looking for straps that give you the needed support, feel comfortable, and are easy to fasten and remove. The one-must-follow rule is never to feel uncomfortable wearing them – they should never hurt or cause you blisters, rushes, or other skin-related issues.
In Conclusion
If the question is simply, should you be doing deadlifts with straps? Then, the answer would be yes, but only in certain situations. If you’re lifting weights that feel comfortable for you or that’s just challenging but not impossible, then you shouldn’t be wearing straps. In those situations, you can work on strengthening your natural grip so that you don’t need any help with the truly heavy lifts. On the other hand, with a load that the rest of your body can lift, but your grip is failing, you should always use straps as they will help you progress and gain strength over time.
So our advice is to get a good pair of comfortable lifting straps and make them a staple in your gym bag – with the one-note only to use them when you truly need them.